Microsoft Rewards Starts Adding Cooldown Timer

Highlights

• The Microsoft Rewards program has undergone changes, including a cooldown system and fewer points for completing tasks, sparking user discontent.
• Changes to the Rewards program vary by country, with some experiencing the cooldown timer after using the Bing search engine enough times, and others not being affected.
• Microsoft has yet to respond to user complaints, and it is possible more modifications could be on the way for the program.

Microsoft Rewards has taken another hit as Microsoft continues to implement program changes. The most recent change concerns daily searches and a new cooldown system that hinders Edge and Bing users from acquiring a set amount of points. Users have shared their resentments online with the recent changes to the Microsoft Rewards program.

The Microsoft Rewards program has been through several reconstructive shifts for the past year. Xbox players, Edge browser users, and Bing guests have all voiced their opinions on the various changes. One of the biggest adjustments that Microsoft users have noticed was the significant downgrade to a Game Pass quest, where the points were incredibly low in acquisition. While other alterations come to mind, it seems that more changes are happening without official announcements.

A recent amendment to the Microsoft Rewards program sees a new cooldown system. This cooldown occurs when users utilize the Bing search engine to conduct three searches, in which a timer will begin for 15 minutes. In short, Microsoft Rewards users will receive points for only three searches every 15 minutes, depending on their efforts. However, the cooldown doesn’t seem to apply to all users across the globe, for reports of the changes to Microsoft Rewards have indicated that only a few countries have seen the addition to the program. These countries include Brazil, India, Mexico, and possibly more.

In addition to the cooldown timer, users in the US and Canada have reported more changes to the Microsoft Rewards program. Beneath the daily streak and duties is a list of tasks that now only give out a few points. Beforehand, users could easily earn five points or more for each mission. Other reported changes involve the daily search breakdown in the Microsoft Rewards program in November.

Discontented users have gone online to voice their opinions on the changes to the program. Some have admitted to moving on from the Rewards program. In contrast, others have looked to humor to subvert the hostile reception, including suggestions for users to utilize other search engines and browsers not affiliated with Microsoft. In either case, the general crowd that uses the program isn’t pleased with the latest additions and absences.

While Microsoft has commented on the Rewards program with clarifications about its evolution and changes, particularly with a statement to Windows Latest, there hasn’t been a response to the user outcry. These changes appear to be happening sporadically on the spot, even as different countries share and report their unique discoveries. Not everyone is being affected by the newest changes. However, this might be a sign that more modifications could be on the way if Microsoft is looking to make some major adjustments to the future of its Rewards program. In that case, it might be wise to turn in those points for some rewards before further makeovers unexpectedly come into effect.